Best Budget Treadmills (2024): Move More for Less

As one of the best treadmills under $1,000, the 7.0 AT earned a near-perfect 4.5 out of 5 for our overall workout experience. The 60-inch deck and 3.0 CHP motor provide more than enough space and power to support prolonged cardio. Even at top speeds, there is no shake or wobble on this treadmill.

CPT and GGR Expert Tester Lindsay Scheele says this treadmill is designed for running speeds. “With a 60-inch-long deck, I feel comfortable recommending this treadmill to runners of any height,” she says.

Plus, for the programming fans out there, the 7.0 has Bluetooth connectivity to utilize popular apps like Peloton while on the machine. The speakers can play the audio, display calories burned, and show you your heart rate. Unfortunately, you’re in charge of changing the incline and speed yourself, as the connectivity isn’t able to extend this far. Still, this capability is impressive, especially for a budget option.

The differences between the 7.0 and its big sister, the Horizon 7.4 AT, are fairly minor; the LCD screen is 1.5 inches bigger on the more expensive option, and the parts and labor warranties for the 7.0 are slightly less. The 7.4 AT is also heavier than the 7.0 at 318 pounds and has a higher user weight capacity of 350 pounds.

I’m a big fan of the quick dial adjustment system, which is present on all three iterations of the Horizon Studio Series treadmills. This feature allows users to seamlessly adjust the speed and incline at 33% faster than other treadmills (according to the Horizon website). I particularly like this addition and can tell the difference in the speed of adjustments. It’s a HUGE pet peeve of mine when a treadmill takes away precious seconds during a sprint trying to adjust to the button you just pressed.

Be warned: this machine is heavy. You’ll definitely need some help to both move and assemble the 7.0. I would pick a spot you feel comfortable leaving the machine the majority of the time since it is difficult to move. 

“While this is not a lightweight machine, if you’re going to keep it in one place in your home gym the weight is not a dealbreaker,” says Lindsay.

Read more on our Horizon 7.0 review.

If you plan on mostly walking on a treadmill, consider the Sunny Health and Fitness Treadmill (SF-T4400) with manual incline, which is about half the price.

Earning near-perfect marks from our testers for footprint and portability, we have to call the ProForm Carbon TLX the best treadmill for small spaces due to its folding capabilities and how easy it is to move around. Lindsay Scheele, Garage Gym Reviews lead reviewer and certified personal trainer, used the Carbon TLX herself for our ProForm Carbon TLX review.

“Even though it says that it weighs 249 pounds in the box I thought it moved just as well as a high quality more expensive treadmill,” says Lindsay, who rated the portability a 4 out of 5. “The only reason I didn’t rate it higher was there was no bar at the end of the deck to grab onto. You have these curved feet to grab onto which is fine, but not my favorite way to move around a heavier piece of equipment.”

While this treadmill’s footprint is similar to other larger machines, it’s great for small spaces because the SpaceSaver design helps it fold into a compact footprint.

The price tag is also pretty compact, as the Carbon TLX costs less than $1,000. That includes a free 30-day trial of iFIT, which is interactive programming that gives you access to literally thousands of workouts, and not just running workouts. There are also live and on-demand strength training classes, core workouts, yoga, and more that you can do with your iFIT membership.

There are a few things to consider before you buy the Carbon TLX. For one, the cushioning isn’t as good as other ProForm treadmills. “I think for a budget-friendly treadmill it was fine, but I didn’t feel like it provided a lot in terms of cushioning goes,” Lindsay says.

Secondly, it’s not as quiet as other treadmills. “Because the deck isn’t very cushioned, I do feel like you hear a little bit more noise when your feet hit the deck compared to a treadmill like the ProForm trainer 14.0,” Lindsay adds.

If you’re not dead-set on iFIT programming, we suggest checking out the Echelon Stride-6, which is priced a few hundred dollars lower.

For those looking for a super budget-friendly treadmill for regular walking, the under-$300 Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill hits the mark. This machine is controlled using a remote rather than a display, so I’d suggest keeping it in a consistent spot so you won’t lose it. As I found out quickly in testing, this treadmill legitimately will not work without the remote, which is why I’m emphasizing staying on top of its location.

To be totally transparent, it’s hard to rate a treadmill like this against bigger commercial treadmills, because at this price point, you just aren’t going to get a lot of extras. However, it did earn a 4 out of 5 on workout experience and portability from our product testers.

Goplus is ideal underneath a standing desk or for slow walking. “I would only use this for walking,” says Lindsay. “The 40-inch deck is far too short for proper running form.”

The Goplus can fold very flat to be stored, but you’ll have to remove the handles to do so. This takes 10 minutes, so it’s not a huge deal, but it is something to be aware of when considering storage options.

The 265-pound weight capacity isn’t the worst, but ideally, I’d like to see it closer to 300 pounds in order to be more inclusive. With a 2.25 CHP motor, the Goplus has no issues supporting general walking. The max speed of 8 MPH seems like it could support a light jog, but that would be an impossible task for my 5’9” self due to the deck’s short length. 

Take a look at our Goplus Treadmill review.

The Goplus treadmill does not support running speeds. If you’re looking for something affordable that allows you to run with a full stride, we like the Horizon T101 treadmill.

For those of us who like pretending we’re climbing Mount Everest (please tell me I’m not the only one), the Echelon Stride 6 is a great choice. This budget-friendly cardio machine has 12.5 incline options that can be adjusted with the convenient controls below the display. 

GGR’s head of content, Kate Meier, has had the original, now-discontinued Echelon Fitness Stride since the start of 2023—we haven’t tried the Stride 6 but both machines have similar specs (we’ll update this review when we test the newer model). Kate uses the Stride every week for her morning walks. “There are quick-change buttons on the handles so I can adjust speed and incline without having to reach,” she says.

The Stride’s LCD display isn’t the fanciest or largest, but it allows you to read all your metrics, access the preset workouts, and connect to Echelon’s fitness app where you can pick from thousands of live and on-demand treadmill workouts.

Where the Stride really knocks it out of the park is in its footprint—or lack thereof. It folds completely flat and can be stored horizontally or vertically, which is why it earns a perfect 5 out of 5 with us. Kate typically folds the machine and stores it vertically on her porch when she isn’t using it. “I don’t have a lot of room in my place, so I have also stashed it under my bed,” she says.

I’m a big fan of the lifetime warranty on the Stride’s frame and motor. With treadmills around this price point, you don’t often see machines with that kind of coverage. The Stride 6 has one big benefit over its predecessor: A 60-inch running deck that supports walking or jogging for people of all stride lengths.

With previous iterations, we used to not recommend this machine for people taller than 6 feet who want to use their treadmill for frequent running, but that’s no longer a concern. However, if you want a treadmill with highly responsive speed controls, go with the Horizon 7.0 AT.

Our Echelon Fitness Stride review has more details on this affordable treadmill.

Price under $650, the Horizon T101 is ideal for people interested in getting in their steps. GGR lead reviewer Lindsay Scheele tested the T101. As someone who has personally put dozens of treadmills through our testing methodology, Lindsay remarks, “For someone looking for a quality treadmill for lots of walking and some jogging, I think this is a great option.”

RELATED: Benefits of Walking on a Treadmill

Why? For starters, it comes at an attractive price point and has a speed range of up to 10 MPH and incline up to 10%. That gives walkers a number of good options for workouts, having the ability to climb hills and pick up the pace whenever they want. There are also quick-change dials on the handles, where you can adjust your speed an incline by just rotating the knob.

This is a treadmill that folds into a vertical position, which may save you some space. It weighs 180 pounds, but thanks to front transport wheels, it’s still fairly portable. “Compared to a lot of other treadmills we see, this is fairly easy to move around,” Lindsay says.

There are 6 preset programs on the Horizon T101: Calorie, Distance, Fat Burn, Hill Climb, Intervals, Manual. The console is pretty basic, with just three LED windows that give you metrics like time, distance, and calories.

Lindsay also says this is a breeze when it comes to assembly. “Essentially you just need to screw on the uprights that hold the screen into place and then you are good to go,” Lindsay says. “Easiest treadmill assembly ever.”

In terms of value, Lindsay gives this a 4.5 out of 5. “Other treadmills that have similar features are within $100 dollars of this treadmill, however i think one of the things that gives the T101 a leg up is its deck cushioning system.” Horizon uses a three-part system that has different levels of cushioning based on your foot strike position—another bonus for walkers.

Read more in our Horizon T101 review.

If you have the budget to spend a bit more, we suggest the Horizon 7.0 AT because it has a bigger, more powerful motor and a longer running deck to fully stretch out your stride.

The Sole F63 used to be our top pick for this page, but that’s when it was priced under $1,000. Now, at around $1,200, this budget cardio machine still has a lot of desirable features, especially for runners. The 3.0 CHP motor and generously sized 60-inch cushioned deck can support almost anything from walking to running. For context, CHP refers to “continuous horsepower,” which explains the motor’s power. It’s worth noting the F63 does shake slightly with sprinting, but it’s certainly not a deal-breaking amount.

RELATED: Best Treadmills for Running

The lifetime warranty on both the frame and motor is in line with what you’d expect from a high-end treadmill, which makes me feel confident about the durability of the F63. I like the 15 levels of available incline and the 12 speed options. These are also above-average features you don’t typically see on many budget treadmills.

That said, GGR Expert Tester and CPT Lindsay Scheele did experience shaking at top speeds. “Around 9 mph, I noticed right away there was feedback on the deck and through the uprights,” she says. Are we surprised a budget-conscious treadmill had some shakin? No, but it’s worth noting.

Another awesome feature of the F63? It’s foldable and comes with wheels to help the moving process go a little smoother. Plus, this machine also has an “easy-assist” unfolding feature. This machine does all the work once you release the gear system to smoothly set the deck on the ground.

Sole has recently released compatible interactive programming for their machines called Studio. For $19.99 per month, you get hundreds of on-demand classes to follow along with at your convenience. Plus, with the purchase of a Sole machine, you get a free 30-day trial of Studio.

PSA: You’ll need to recruit a friend or family member to help you unbox this machine. At 325 pounds, the F63 is really heavy, and too unwieldy to assemble on your own. The actual assembly isn’t overly complicated but I’d recommend most people pay for expert assembly.

Take a look at our full Sole F63 Treadmill review for more insight into this machine.

This treadmill isn’t the most cushioned machine we’ve tested. If you need a little more shock absorption, we suggest the Horizon 7.0 AT.

If you live in an apartment or even share a living space with family, you may be looking for a budget treadmill option that won’t sound like a stampede of elephants every time you unfold and use it.

The Sunny Health & Fitness (SF-T4400) impresses with a “soft-drop mechanism,” which gently unfolds the treadmill hydraulically without slamming the machine onto the ground; bonus points for avoiding smashed fingers and toes. There are also three manual incline options you can easily adjust before stepping on the treadmill.

While in use, the SF-T4400 is exceptionally quiet for an under-$400 machine, likely due to the shock-absorption cushioning used in the deck. I do wish the deck itself was longer to support lengthier strides, but 49 inches isn’t impossible to jog or run on. 

“The shock absorbers did an excellent job at reducing impact. I was impressed considering the price,” says GGR Tester and CPT Anthony O’Reilly.

The LCD screen is on the more basic side, but there is a small device holder where you can use your own tablet or phone to watch shows or programming on. I didn’t feel totally confident in the stability of the holder itself, but it’s a nice extra to have if you can figure out how to keep it from dropping your device. 

One of my least favorite things about the SF-T4400 is the 220-pound weight capacity. This is well below the industry average of 300 pounds, making this a less inclusive option for people of different statures.

Additionally, the 49-inch deck is not ideal for everyone. “I had to watch my stride while using this, but not enough that it was a nuisance,” says Anthony.

Check out our full Sunny Health & Fitness (SF-T4400) review for all of our thoughts on this machine.

If you think you won’t take advantage of the manual incline, opt for the super slim under-desk Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill which we like for the workday and generally getting more steps.

For those who want to walk and talk at the same time, we recommend the UREVO 2-in-1 Under Desk Treadmill. It comes fully assembled, can be folded flat, and costs under $400. Plus, it offers the fastest speed of any under-desk treadmill we’ve tested, though that’s relative since it tops out at 7.6 MPH (similar modes only go up to around 5 MPH). We rated it a 4 out of 5 on value.

“If you know what you’re buying you’ll be pleased but this treadmill will not pretend to be something it isn’t,” says Caroline Lubinsky, a former collegiate and semi-professional soccer player.

We found that this machine could be stored under a bed, against the wall, or inside a closet. We love that the UREVO comes fully assembled, which can be a roadblock for people in small spaces. Assembling large pieces of fitness equipment can take up a surprising amount of space, but luckily that isn’t a concern with this machine. 

Plus, if you live alone, you won’t have much trouble moving the machine yourself. At just 59 pounds, this treadmill is lightweight (and it comes with wheels on the front in order to tip the machine and move it). 

RELATED: How to move a treadmill

As long as you just want to walk on it, you’ll really enjoy the UREVO treadmill for what it is. However, we wouldn’t recommend this machine for people who are serious runners, or for those who are tall. Caroline is 5’9” (with a long stride), and she had to take purposeful steps to avoid falling off while power walking. It’s also worth noting that there are no incline options, so the flatness of the deck you see is what you get. 

Read our full thoughts on the UREVO 2-in-1 Under Desk treadmill.

If you’re on the market for an under-desk treadmill but you’re looking for the best possible deal, we recommend the Goplus 2-in-1 Folding Treadmill, which we’ve seen priced $100 less during sales.

At just over 4.5 feet long, the WalkingPad is already a compact treadmill that’s great for those who just want to walk but it has another trick up its sleeve—it can fold sandwich-style to shrink to under 3 feet long, making it a perfect choice for those in studio apartments or other small spaces. We rated it a 4.5 out of 5 for footprint and portability, only docking a half-point because some people might struggle with moving it around (it weighs 62 pounds, though it does come with transport wheels).

This treadmill is also proof that great things come in small packages. “I have used it daily in the when the weather is inclement for the last 1.5 years and have definitely gotten my money’s worth,” says Nicole Davis, a certified personal trainer and GGR head of content.

That said, we rated the WalkingPad a 3.5 out of 5 on value because there are some limitations. For example, the weight capacity is only 220 pounds, whereas most treadmills can support users up to 300 pounds. “My husband tried it and he weighs about 200 pounds,” Nicole says. “It worked fine, although his comment was that he didn’t feel like it went as fast when he was on it versus me.”

Additionally, the max speed is 3.75 MPH so this should only be used as a walking treadmill. Even then, the speed doesn’t feel as fast as it does on other cardio machines. “I will say that the 3.0 on this machine doesn’t feel like a standard 3.0 on a gym treadmill,” Nicole says.

The speed can be controlled with a remote or with your feet. You simply move higher up the tread belt to make it faster, stay in the middle to maintain your speed, or go toward the back to slow it down.

Get our full thoughts in our WalkingPad review.

If you’re looking for a compact treadmill that’s a little quicker at the same price range, we recommend the UREVO 2-in-1 Under Desk Treadmill.